Matchday 2 of the 2023 NWSL season came to a close Sunday with a crazy finish between the Orlando Pride and Angel City at Exploria Stadium.
The visitors took the lead in the 39th-minute from the penalty spot through Claire Emslie after Alyssa Thompson was fouled in the area.
.@emslie22 from the spot to get @weareangelcity on the board! pic.twitter.com/fOm3odPHtT
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) April 2, 2023
Orlando came close to an equalizer with Adriana smashing one off the post, but Messiah Bright ultimately accomplished the task in the 51st-minute with a driving run through two defenders followed by well-placed finish.
The 23-year-old was the 21st overall selection of the draft and played her college ball for TCU.
Splitting the defense for your first career goal after coming off the bench? What? Like it's hard?
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) April 2, 2023
With both teams looking for their first win of the season after losing their opening matches, the game really came to life in the final 10 minutes.
In the 89th, Angel City got another penalty kick for a handball in the area, but this time goalkeeper Anna Moorhouse stonewalled Emslie's attempt.
ANNA MOORHOUSE GETS REVENGE ON CLAIRE EMSLIE.
Ball don't lie? pic.twitter.com/gYowVhwbxn— Attacking Third (@AttackingThird) April 2, 2023
The action went back and forth from there with Orlando coming close to a winner of their own, but in the 10th minute of stoppage time an excellent Emslie corner kick was met by Katie Johnson with Moorhouse stranded.
KATIE JOHNSON WINS IT WITH THE LAST TOUCH OF THE GAME FOR ANGEL CITY!!! pic.twitter.com/tkp943q6gX
— Attacking Third (@AttackingThird) April 2, 2023
The Pride are already in trouble again. The club hasn't made the playoffs since 2017 and now they're bottom of the table with two defeats and a negative five goal difference. They host Gotham FC on April 15.
Angel City hosts Racing Louisville that same day.
